briansommers
Banded Mongoose
I was looking at the ships floor plans in HG2022up
And it shows an icon to be a fresher…
Is this a toilet and sink combination?
And it shows an icon to be a fresher…
Is this a toilet and sink combination?
What’s a fresher?
- Thread starter briansommers
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ottarrus
Emperor Mongoose
A 'fresher' is a cubicle aboard a starship that combines a toilet, sink/mirror, and shower unit. Some even say that it includes a laundry unit that washes and drys your laundry in one device [hey, TL 15 is TL 15, man...]. Obviously, such a setup his highly modular [toilet folding out of the way, etc.] and relies on very efficient water reclamation.
I've seen some discussions about such a unit and a proposal that posits the use of a dense water fog instead of actual running water for such a unit. in proposed Mars mission spacecraft with a 'hamster cage' artificial gravity system [as in 2300AD]. First the user would get a hot water fog, soap and wash, and then a cool water fog to rinse and even out the body temperature and prevent sweating. Once the occupant exits the shower, all water vapor is sucked up for recycling.
All I can say to that is that it certainly doesn't sound like it would feel better than a hot shower with the shower head set to strip paint
But, failing all that, I suppose the system would use 'Navy showers'... the shower head is on long enough to get wet, then stops. The user then soaps and washes up, and the shower is turned back on briefly to rinse off and wash soap down the drain. Then the user gets to squee-gee the walls and floor of the shower to clean the unit after himself.
[Which is Reason #373 for Why I'm Glad I Joined The Army Instead]
I've seen some discussions about such a unit and a proposal that posits the use of a dense water fog instead of actual running water for such a unit. in proposed Mars mission spacecraft with a 'hamster cage' artificial gravity system [as in 2300AD]. First the user would get a hot water fog, soap and wash, and then a cool water fog to rinse and even out the body temperature and prevent sweating. Once the occupant exits the shower, all water vapor is sucked up for recycling.
All I can say to that is that it certainly doesn't sound like it would feel better than a hot shower with the shower head set to strip paint
But, failing all that, I suppose the system would use 'Navy showers'... the shower head is on long enough to get wet, then stops. The user then soaps and washes up, and the shower is turned back on briefly to rinse off and wash soap down the drain. Then the user gets to squee-gee the walls and floor of the shower to clean the unit after himself.
[Which is Reason #373 for Why I'm Glad I Joined The Army Instead]
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Arkathan
Emperor Mongoose
I was on a carrier (CVN-69). As long as the distillers were working, and the tanks were full, Navy showers weren't a thing... BUT... if sailors abused it, they WOULD switch over to salt water for the shower loop in order to conserve potable water.
ottarrus
Emperor Mongoose
I got a two-week boat ride on an LHD back in the days of the Rapid Deployment Force.
Now I know why Marines are grumpy.... lol! But it really did give me a sense of 'life aboard ship' and a bit of insight on on all the High Guard gearheading I'd been doing as a Traveller fan.
It's one reason why I'm not a great big fan of the deckplans in the new versions of HG. 200 staterooms with just one exit point is nothing any naval architect would ever design.
Now I know why Marines are grumpy.... lol! But it really did give me a sense of 'life aboard ship' and a bit of insight on on all the High Guard gearheading I'd been doing as a Traveller fan.
It's one reason why I'm not a great big fan of the deckplans in the new versions of HG. 200 staterooms with just one exit point is nothing any naval architect would ever design.
ottarrus
Emperor Mongoose
But one presumes that the watertight cubicle still takes up space. Those walls and watertight door don't fold out of the way, but the inner workings of the fresher do.
Arkathan
Emperor Mongoose
Our marines lived under the forward crew mess deck. Medical sat in the middle with main passages going down each side. I worked in dosimetry. Our door was split so you could open the top half and use the bottom as a countertop. Legal owned the passageway outside. Having little else to do most times, they would pass the hours in stripping and waxing the deck.
Either they had advance notice, or the Marine commandant - or the special weapons officer... or both - were sadistic.
Every time they'd get that stripper on and sitting, an alert at the aft (more amidships) security checkpoint would be called.
That was our entertainment. We'd open the top half of our door and watch marines sliding past with automatic weapons, only to hit the ramp at the full length bulkhead hatch and be catapulted into the pile of marines on the other side.
So grumpy. Yes.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
The sonic shower was a technology that used sonic pulse vibrations to remove dirt and grime, contaminants and possibly dead skin from a humanoid body.
Sonic showers were described as relaxing. High-pitched sonic showers serve a similar effect as to what a "cold shower" serves. (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"; VOY: "Juggernaut")
Sonic showers were present aboard Federation starships at least as early as the 2270s. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
The technology is presumably an excellent conservation means as it eliminates the need for water used in bathing. However, various Starfleet vessels were equipped with conventional water dispensing hygiene applications such as a shower or a tub. (TNG: "Genesis"; Star Trek: Insurrection; VOY: "Caretaker", "Q2")
During the Occupation of Bajor, Bajoran comfort women were told to use Terok Nor's sonic showers for the Cardassians, who value cleanliness. (DS9: "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night")
In 2364, a woman was found frozen to death by Geordi La Forge in the sonic shower aboard the SS Tsiolkovsky with all her clothes on. (TNG: "The Naked Now")
During Wesley Crusher's first week at Starfleet Academy, Adam Martoni reprogrammed Crusher's sonic shower to cover him with mud. (TNG: "The Game")
One of the components of a sonic shower was an acoustic inverter. When an acoustic inverter broke, the sound created by the sonic shower has been described as being able to "make your hair stand on end". In 2376, Captain Janeway's sonic shower malfunctioned and the sound caused her mirror to shatter. (VOY: "Live Fast and Prosper")
A decoupler was the standard device used for checking sonic shower relays. (DS9: "Nor the Battle to the Strong"; VOY: "Day of Honor")
Sonic shower
The sonic shower was a technology that used sonic pulse vibrations to remove dirt and grime, contaminants and possibly dead skin from a humanoid body. Sonic showers were described as relaxing. High-pitched sonic showers serve a similar effect as to what a "cold shower" serves. (DS9: "If Wishes...
Once, when I was in Egypt, I was in the most efficient bathroom design I had seen. Each wall was about 5' wide. The toilet was on one wall, a small sink on another, and the shower head hanging down from the middle of the ceiling. You could literally sh#t, shower and shave (while sitting) with everything you need in reach.
Didn't really provide a "fresh" experience, but it was a cheap room.
Didn't really provide a "fresh" experience, but it was a cheap room.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
Reisender
Cosmic Mongoose
Looking at deckplans your typical stateroom has 4,5m x 3m, with roughly 1,5m x 1,5m allocated for the fresher. Measure this in your own room and you will see that it is not very big. The shower in my appartment is about 0,90m x 0,90m. It is big enough to move comfortably inside while showering without hitting anything, so I would call it average size. Seperate toilet space is about 0,70m x 0,70m. Seperate sink is about 0,50m x 0,50m.
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Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
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Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
Someone mentioned recently that the Japanese actually don't use it, but it's a neat proof of concept.
I think one issue would be how to regulate the filling of the tank, since if it's already full, the water would go into overflow; if it's empty and you need to go, you'll have to wash your hands first.
I think one issue would be how to regulate the filling of the tank, since if it's already full, the water would go into overflow; if it's empty and you need to go, you'll have to wash your hands first.
CordwainerFish
Emperor Mongoose
There was an episode of Firefly where we see a fold-out commode under a sink aboard the ship. If I recall, the commentary track said it was vintage, from a 19th century railway.
As far as I can tell, the term 'fresher - apostrophe not optional - is from Heinlein, who used it for both aboardship conveniences and absolutely sybaritic home installations.
As far as I can tell, the term 'fresher - apostrophe not optional - is from Heinlein, who used it for both aboardship conveniences and absolutely sybaritic home installations.
NOLATrav
Emperor Mongoose
I’ve only been to Tokyo once, for just a few days. Didn’t see anything like I mentioned. It popped up in my feed and I thought it was pretty cool.
I suspect a little bit of engineering, a couple sensors and supplemental tank could make it work.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
Not impossible, considering what other gadgets and sensors the Japanese have crammed into their toilets.
But I think this is similar to some of the other weird things the Japanese like creating, as more of a one off art piece.
But I think this is similar to some of the other weird things the Japanese like creating, as more of a one off art piece.
The Canterbury Tail
Banded Mongoose
I find it is used in Japan, the over toilet sink and is pretty common, but you’re missing how it operates. The tap runs when the toilet is flushed and stops running when the tank is full. You don’t actually control the faucet directly like a regular tap, it just runs when it’s refilling the tank and you cannot just turn it on any other way. Fine for a quick rinse, but not really suitable for a full on hand washing. Though in my experience it seems many Japanese don’t do what some of us westerners would call washing of hands after using the toilet with soap etc as most public bathrooms don’t have soap.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
You could be looking at a hands free, paperless toilet experience, with a Dyson Blade.
And laser targetted fire[water] control hydrants; though not with this particular model.
The other thing to consider is if you just want to brush your teeth, which if used in tiny apartments, would have to be a consideration, unless you plan to do that over the kitchen sink.
And laser targetted fire[water] control hydrants; though not with this particular model.
The other thing to consider is if you just want to brush your teeth, which if used in tiny apartments, would have to be a consideration, unless you plan to do that over the kitchen sink.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
I think the point of the experience to emerge refreshed, and (en)lightened.
